7. Resolution on the death of Harold J. Aseph III.   Councillor Maher, Councillor Toomey

R-7     May 15, 2017
COUNCILLOR MAHER
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: The City Council was deeply saddened to learn that Harold J. Guy Asaph III died, age 63, after a period of declining health on Apr, 12, 2017; and
WHEREAS: Guy, as he was known by family and friends, was passionate about the beauty he found in the world and celebrated nature and art in his travels to France and the road trips he took, through the poetry he read, the opera performances he saw, the food he ate and the wine he drank; and
WHEREAS: The words of the poet Edna St. Vincent Millay say it best, “Beauty is whatever gives joy;” and
WHEREAS: On the first day of spring, Guy could be found in Harvard Square handing out flowers to passersby and placing daffodils on the doorstep of the Cambridge birthplace of e.e. cummings; and
WHEREAS: Guy was also an avid cyclist who twice bicycled cross-country, taking in all he saw and experienced; and
WHEREAS: Although a man of great accomplishment, Harold was most proud of his beloved daughter, Lillian; and
WHEREAS: In addition to his aesthetic passions, Guy found much joy from his professions in the work-a-day world, starting as a projectionist at the Harvard Square Theater and later becoming a broker and residential real estate developer; and
WHEREAS: Together with his business partner, Don Sisson, many properties in Cambridge were transformed and in recognition of all they accomplished, received an award from the Cambridge Historical Commission for the exceptional quality of their work; and
WHEREAS: With his passing, Guy leaves a void in the lives of so many, including his daughter, Lillian, many longtime loving friends, his surviving sister Regina Pfeiffer and brothers Phil and Tom; and
WHEREAS: Guy will long be remembered through his love of Edna St. Vincent Millay’s poetry, the sounds of Puccini and Joni Mitchell, the taste of a big California cabernet and spring flowers; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record extending its deepest sympathy to the family of Harold J. Guy Asaph III at this time of such personal loss; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the family of Harold J. Guy Asaph III on behalf of the entire City Council.

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1     May 15, 2017
MAYOR SIMMONS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to determine the feasibility of installing one or more park benches around the Fresh Pond Reservation for the benefit of Cambridge residents, particularly senior citizens who would benefit from such conveniences, and to report back to the City Council in a timely manner.

O-2     May 15, 2017  Amended
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
COUNCILLOR DEVEREUX
WHEREAS: Investment in early childhood education has been proven to be one of the best incremental uses of our tax dollars; and
WHEREAS: The School Department has frequently stated that an impediment to providing pre-k for all of Cambridge’s 3 and 4 year olds is space; and
WHEREAS: Discussions are being held about the redesign of the Tobin School; and
WHEREAS: The Tobin redesign process provides an opportunity for the City to expand its classroom space to accommodate more students; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Mayor or the Superintendent of Schools to confer with the School Department, Human Resources, and any other relevant City departments to determine what it would look like financially and logistically for the new Tobin School to house half of Cambridge’s 3 and 4 year olds with the goal of providing universal pre-k split between the Tobin School and another school to be redesigned in the near future.

O-4     May 15, 2017
VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN
MAYOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: The children who attend Cambridge Public Schools reside in Cambridge and are often a part of City programs outside of school; and
WHEREAS: Policy, budget and other decisions made by the City Council impact students and families in Cambridge Public Schools and decisions made in the School Committee and School Department impact City programs; and
WHEREAS: Each year, the City Council and School Committee discuss a desire to improve communication between the two elected bodies, as well as City and school administrators; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That a Standing Committee made up of three School Committee members, three City Councillors, the Superintendent, the City Manager, as well as other members to be determined, be established to meet monthly to discuss issues pertinent to the School Department and the City and to improve communication between the School Committee and City Council.

O-5     May 15, 2017
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: The City has been piloting zoning regulations related to store frontage limitations, entrepreneurial co-working spaces, and local retail on North Massachusetts Avenue and in Kendall Square; and
WHEREAS: As Cambridge continues to develop rapidly, there is a need to expand this zoning citywide; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Community Development Department and any other relevant City departments with a view in mind for a city-wide expansion of the piloted North Massachusetts Avenue and Kendall Square store frontage limitations, entrepreneurial co-working space, and local retail zoning regulations and report back to the City Council on this matter.

O-6     May 15, 2017
COUNCILLOR DEVEREUX
VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN
WHEREAS: The large grass field on the hilltop at Kingsley Park is one of the largest open areas within Fresh Pond Reservation; and
WHEREAS: The grassy hilltop is a popular gathering spot for people of all ages; and
WHEREAS: No seating is provided on the grassy part of the hill, so people must stand or sit on the grass, which some find uncomfortable; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the appropriate staff about providing some appropriate seating on the grassy hill at Kingsley Park, and report back to the Council.

O-7     May 15, 2017
MAYOR SIMMONS
VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR MAZEN
WHEREAS: The City Council recently concluded its annual Finance Committee hearings to discuss the upcoming budget package, and these hearings once again offered City Councillors the opportunity to ask budget-related questions of the different City departments over the course of the hearings; and
WHEREAS: These yearly Finance Committee hearings offer one of the few regular opportunities for City Councillors to formally and directly engage with Department Heads about their activities, their performance, and their future planning; and
WHEREAS: Having other opportunities for City Councillors to regularly interact and engage with Department Heads throughout each term would allow City Councillors the chance to ask a broader scope of questions and to make any salient points they wish to, without diluting the more narrow focus of the yearly Finance Committee hearings; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Mayor’s Office, the City Clerk’s Office, and the Finance Chair to establish a framework for periodic Roundtables throughout each term that will provide City Councillors opportunities to invite different Department Heads in for open, unrestricted discussions on those topics of interest to the City Councillors.

TEXT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee Report #1
The Finance Committee, comprised of the entire membership of the City Council, conducted a public hearing on Tues, Apr 25, 2017 at 3:07pm in the Sullivan Chamber.

The purpose of the hearing was to discuss the Needs Assessment Report.

Present at the hearing were Vice Mayor McGovern, Chair of the Committee; Councillor Carlone; Councillor Devereux; Councillor Kelley; Councillor Mazen; Mayor Simmons; Louis DePasquale, City Manager; Lisa Peterson, Deputy City Manager; David Kale, Assistant City Manager for Fiscal Affairs; Ellen Semonoff, Assistant City Manager for Human Services; Michelle Farnum and Susan Walsh, Assistant Directors of Child/Youth and Family Services, DHSP; Susan Mintz, Director of Workforce Development, DHSP; Allyson Allen, Director, Employment Planning and Development, DHSP; Iram Farooq, Assistant City Manager for Community Development Department; Ellen Kokinda, Needs Assessment Project Manager, Community Development Department; Cliff Cook, Planning Information Manager, CDD; Chris Cotter, Housing Director, CDD; Jeana Franconi, Budget Director; Jose Wendel, School Nutrition Coordinator, Cambridge Public Health Department; and City Clerk Donna P. Lopez.

Also present were Hedda Rublin, TDC Consultant, 31Milk Street, Boston; Joe Kociubes, 10 McTernan Street; Geeta Pradhan, President, Cambridge Community Foundation, 99 Bishop Allen Drive; Kathryn Fenneman, Executive Director, Tutoring Plus, 225 Windsor Street; Alanna Mallon, 3 Maple Avenue; Delphine Mooney, 341 Broadway; Mazvita Rankin, 99 Bishop Allen Drive; Darrin Korte, 5 Callendar Street; Elena Sokolow-Kaufman, Coordinator, Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition, 99 Bishop Allen Drive; Risa Mednick, Executive Director, Transition House, 20 Maple Avenue; Eva Martin Blythe, YWCA, 7 Temple Street; Paul Parravano, MIT; Briana Perez, 280 Franklin Street; Alexandra Lee, 510 Kendall Square; and Elaine DeRosa, Director, CEOC.

Vice Mayor McGovern opened the hearing and explained the purpose. He stated that the meeting was being audio and video recorded.

City Manager DePasquale gave a quick overview of when this process came to the City Council. He stated that in 2015 a Community Benefits Ordinance and the Community Benefits Stabilization Fund was created. In December of 2015 an appropriation was submitted to the City Council of $3.7 million to the mitigation funds and another $3.7 in City funds now equaling $7.4 million is in the fund today. The City is close to creating a Community Benefits Advisory Committee; this recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council in the next couple of weeks. This advisory committee will work with the City Council on the funding priorities. He stated that with $7.4 million in the fund and more money expected one of the questions is what the annual right amount is for the fund is being looked at. This may be a range of $500,000 to $750,000 annually. He thanked all involved in the process. He stated that moving forward a plan will be developed to spend the funds. He explained that the administration would come to the City Council annually. The goals was to put this in the budget but it is not ready for the budget cycle. An appropriation will be done so that the funds will start in FY18. It is his hope that this will be part of the annual submitted budget.

Deputy City Manager Peterson spoke about the needs assessment process and how the City has gotten to this process for the Community Benefits. This process has been on-going for a couple of years and she recognized those who put enormous amount of work and energy into this. She recognized the Community Development Department, Ellen Semonoff, the Law Department, Finance Department and the Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition, the Cambridge Community Foundation. She stated that this has been a wonderful partnership. At this time there was a PowerPoint presentation (ATTACHMENT A). Deputy City Manager Peterson spoke about the context and purpose of the mitigation funds received by the City. The undesignated funds through zoning relief from up zoning development was mostly received from MIT. $3.7 million has already been appropriated with another $3.7 million ready to appropriate. She stated that the City Council has discussed using these funds to partner with the nonprofit community in order to expand the services that have been given to Cambridge residents key needs and to better meet the unmet needs. She stated that the City in consultation with the Nonprofit Coalition developed the ordinance and the governance framework. She spoke about the recommended approach and the governance structure. The community benefits fund will support the community benefit expenditures. A Need Assessment was conducted to enable the City Council to set the broad funding goals. The ordinance supported the creation of the Community Benefits Advisory Committee to be appointed by the City Manager. She stated that the first step to develop a community benefits allocation plan was to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to understand the motion pressing needs and gaps in Cambridge. She noted that the Cambridge Community Foundation funded one-third of the cost for the needs assessment. She stated the Needs Assessment document is robust. This will help the City Council to make informed decisions about funding priorities, formulate the development of recommendations for the investment of mitigation funds tied to the City Council's funding priorities. She stated that the every three years the document will be reviewed.

The Needs Assessment Process was outlined by Risa Mednick and Kathryn Fennenman.

Ms. Mednick stated that the Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition (CNC) appreciated working in partnership with the City in this process. This process began the summer 2014. She explained that the nonprofit community felt that there was urgency to pursue a notion of a community needs assessment to look at community benefits differently. There was a misunderstanding in the community about where the funds came from, how exacted and distributed. It was felt that a better more transparent process could be developed. She spoke about concrete benchmarks that the City Council could use to make decisions going forward and how this work could be carried out.

Ms. Fennenman also commended being included in the needs assessment process. She stated that CNC's strongest asset is its connection to community members. There were fourteen different focus groups convened with residents so that the views of those most directly impacted is heard throughout the needs assessment. The process and the funding is an opportunity for this community where resources can be directed in a strategic manner. This will allow resources to be strategically the nexus of the intersecting needs of the community will be reached. Ms. Mednick stated that this is a huge opportunity to bring many stakeholders together. She advocated for a holistic approach to understand community need and community problem solving. She hoped that this will be the way to look at leveraging all community benefits funds and to leverage additional and potential resources in the City.

Ms. Pradhan praised the City on a job well done. She stated that needs have exacerbated since the process began in 2014. Problems are more complex today. Cambridge is fortunate for the non-profit community. She spoke about leveraging and the funding that can spark change. She wanted to build bridges to the business community to be able to leverage resources.

Deputy City Manager Peterson thanked and acknowledged the needs assessment advisory committee. She stated that the City is proud of this product.

Hedda Rublin, Consultant, TDC pick up the presentation on the needs assessment process and framework. When the needs assessment advisory committee was assembled one of the first things done was how the question of needs was to be framed. All wanted to come up together with a framework. She explained that a lot of different frameworks were reviewed for assessing needs but a new framework was created for this this process. She stated that it is hoped that this framework will stand the test of time. She stated that three broad categories of needs and eleven sub-set areas of need within the three broad categories. She spoke about the basic needs, access to opportunity and vibrant community. She noted that the three circles overlap because all the needs interact. She stated that the research was divided into two phases. She noted that Cambridge is remarkable for how many studies are out there. She noted that 64 different sources of data was tapped. All the data from phases one and two was synthesized. The data was then identified by qualitative needs. She explained that staff from the non-profit coalition and the City were trained and fourteen focus groups where held in different neighborhood throughout the City. There was a needs assessment for providers with 120 service providers. The needs were prioritized into three group’s breadth of need, impact on the subpopulation and urgency and trends overtime. She commented that the research done on this project was done before the November election. If this was done before and after the election the results may have been different. There are 11 categories of needs and they were subdivision. She stated that there were three 3 top tier needs that focused on housing and homelessness, financial security and mental health including behavioral health and substance abuse. The middle tier included food, civic engagement and social capital, education and employment. The lower tier needs were safety, transportation, arts, culture and recreation, health and built and natural environment. Ms. Rublin outlined the key findings in the top tier needs and the middle tier needs. She stated that affordable housing homelessness came up over and over again both in the data and the qualitative conversations. Many people felt affordable housing is the most pressing issue facing the City which is impacting a significant amount of low, moderate middle income residents. There is a high demand for public housing and affordable housing with a limited supply. She spoke about subpopulations that are vulnerable. Many adult homeless individuals suffer from a substance abuse disorder and/or serious mental illness. There was concern about the increasing homeless population in Harvard and Central Squares. She spoke about the increase in rents and that income is not increasing to allow individuals to pay the increased rents. As it relates to financial security there are a large number of residents living in poverty amidst an environment of affluence. Poverty affects children, particularly those living in a single family household. She noted that African American and Hispanic populations experience poverty at double the rate of the overall populations. Many moderate and middle income individuals are feeling the high cost of living in the City. She noted that moderate income individuals are leaving Cambridge. She stated that prior to this report, the Cambridge Public Health Department did a public health needs assessment and the number one health priority was identified as mental and behavioral health and substance abuse. The committee heard the need for more affordable and accessible mental health services in the City. Ms. Rublin discussed the middle tier needs. She stated that food insecurity is a challenge for low income residents and it is not always convenient to access food pantries or grocery stores that accept SNAP benefits. Food insecurity will remain an urgent challenge for vulnerable subpopulations. Relative to civic engagement and social capital the population churn is being driven by the increased cost of living in the City. She noted that immigrants, seniors and low-income persons of color encounter barriers to civic engagement and building social capital. She noted that in education, Cambridge public school students scored higher in basic performance than the state as a whole; however there are significant disparities that exist. She noted that the overall dropouts and graduations in Cambridge are improving. Ms. Rublin noted that Cambridge's unemployment is lower than the county or state; however this does not signify adequate income. She stated that the committee used the prioritization framework, but wanted to keep in mind some principles for the Community Benefits funding. Some of the principles have been established by ordinance. There are seventeen principles. She stated that the committee did not want to address the needs and silos, but rather have a holistic, innovative and collaborative solution. She stated that this funding has no strings attached and can be used to do creative things.

Deputy City Manager Peterson spoke about the next steps. The City Manager is close to appointing the Community Benefits Advisory Committee. The role of the Community Benefits Advisory Committee will be to solicit and evaluate the applications from local non-profit providers for services that are consistent with the City Council priorities that are being set. The committee will be responsible for establishing rules, regulations and guidelines to provide for the proper administration and implementation of the Community Benefits funding. The committee will be appointed within the next few weeks. The committee is comprised of 13 members, established by ordinance.

Vice Mayor McGovern spoke about the amount of work that went into putting this together. There are people who are struggling in Cambridge.

Vice Mayor McGovern opened the hearing to discussion by the City Council.

Councillor Mazen what are the next steps and goals that will be seen achieved for the outlay and how will the fund be increased. He asked if $50 million will be raised each year from the large multinational companies in Cambridge. City Manager DePasquale will work with the group to raise as much funding as possible. He stated that there is projected that there is $10-15 million out there and how can this be kept going. He noted that he did not want to build a budget that cannot stay. What the long range revenue is can project the long range expenditure. The City is in a strong position. Councillor Mazen in Cambridge like no other innovation eco system of this density there is a disconnect between the gap of what corporate field is capable of supporting and allocating. He spoke about this being measured and understanding the allocation through the Community Benefits fund and increasing the giving. If this cannot happen this needs to be as predictable as possible.

Councillor Devereux these funds are tied to growth, up zoning and development and the needs will not stop if development stops or slows. She asked what happens in the future if conditions are different. Is there a plan to cope in the event that the revenue is not received and what are the expectation? She spoke about the low tier needs not discussed and how they are tied to development and growth. She stated that top tier needs are always addressed and the low tier needs are just as important. City Manager DePasquale stated that CPA has not been reduced even though the state match has reduced. When this funds comes it will be done the same ways as the funding for the CPA is done. Ms. Semonoff stated that it is anticipated that there will be $14 million; there will be funding that can be dedicated for this purpose. The development of the needs assessment is not just for the purpose of the Community Benefit funding. It is the idea that it will be useful for the non-profit coalition as they seek grants elsewhere. The Cambridge Community Foundation is a co-sponsor and co-funder is for their ability to use this with the business community, with individual donors. She spoke about going to interest people in the community that do not understand the needs. She commented that there are many reasons to worry that is you start funding something how will it continue to be funded. Part of going through this detailed process was to identify an array of needs some of which funding may be allocated to today, some of which will be done in the future. This is creating a platform to be used to raise fund that will support these same needs in a much broader way. Ms. Pradhan stated that what the non-profit coalition is offering is a wonderful solution. This eliminates the dependence problem, which is to solve the problems of the community and let all come together with a real goal and impact and when the impact is met it is done and we can move onto another issues. This is meeting the needs of community while not creating a dependence factor. She spoke about the leveraging factor and investing in the capacity of the non-profit sector so that better programs can be run. This funding can do wonders if it is done right.

Ms. Mednick noted that the carrying capacity of this community is unknown in terms of true stakeholder investment in the community change investment. It is up to all to address the problem solving potential and never walk away until the goals are met. We need to be held accountable to each other to make these fair, transparent procedures match the goals.

Ms. Rublin addressed the concerns of the low tier needs. She stated that this is not just to fund the top tier needs. She reinforced the holistic circles. She added all wanted to see all the needs addressed.

Councillor Carlone report was educational and well done. He noted that years ago when industries were in town there was belief that industry had to help the community, but that is not the way it is today. He explained that the Mayor of Cambridge asked Frederick Rindge for land for a library and Mr. Rindge gave the land. Mr. Rindge also gave the building and then gave land for City Hall. He stated that asking is not done as frequently as it should be done. There is a responsibility in being an active giver.

Councillor Kelley noted that the future needs to be intentional. He stated that plan to ask needs to be put into place. He stated that areas outside the beltway do not have resources for their less fortunate. Whatever Kendall Square may be giving to the City and whatever the other parts of the economic world are giving if we can get more resources great. Where does the $50 million come from? This needs more investigation. We cannot fund stuff that disappears. He commented that there is a huge untapped tax levy; taxes could be raised. This is worthy of having a community discussion. He spoke about figuring out where the lines are drawn as to who does/does not get and to figure out how to leverage others to give.

Vice Mayor McGovern explained the ways the things worked in the schools. Parents had a connection with google and partnerships were built with businesses and schools and this was district wide. A position was created to build the partnerships with businesses in Kendall Square and when this employee left this position was not funded. The strength of this document is that it is a City-wide look at what are the needs across the City. He stated that this needs to be organized to ask businesses to help. The needs assessment is an educational tool and 18% of children go to bed hungry; this is unconscionable. The City has to do a better job leveraging capital from Kendall Square and major companies. He spoke about the tiers and that they are intertwined. He wanted the advisory committee to combine these items in the tiers. Where is the advisory committee going to sit in the organizational chart; who is responsible? Deputy City Manager Peterson stated that she has been designated by the City Manager to chair the Community Benefits Advisory committee; the committee will make recommendations to enter into a grant agreements with a non-profits and will be brought to the City Manager.

Councillor Mazen stated that $50 million is the low end of funding. He stated that there are 200 large multi-national companies in Cambridge and each could contribute $250,000 yearly and there are many high income individuals who can contribute as well. He stated that the City needs to talk about this to reach capacity.

Councillor Devereux does not think $50 million is unreachable. She spoke about shades of needs. She suggested a campaign similar to the Local First campaign. Major donors give outside Cambridge. She encouraged communicating local need is here in Cambridge. Ms. Pradhan spoke about high net worth individuals and the fact that there is a high level of wealth in Cambridge; but the needs are unknown. People are unaware that there is poverty in Cambridge because it is hidden. She spoke about presenting this detail in a forum to all. Volunteer is the first step of connecting. She spoke about creating a permanent endowment for Cambridge. She stated that the Cambridge Community Foundation has an endowment of only $35 million. The City needs to be built up.

Councillor Kelley now $7 million and the real amount is unknown. He spoke about the intentionality of asked for funding. It is important to draw the lines with the funding we have, but we should not spend or plan for the money that we do not have. He supported increasing taxes.

Councillor Carlone stated that Cambridge is in a golden age and it is unknown how long this will last. He spoke about the fourth guiding principles: consider neighborhoods impacted by development. He spoke about Kendall Square being an innovation zone. He stated that MIT is promoting the Volpe site. He added that most innovation zones in the country border poorer communities. All neighborhoods impacted by development in Kendall Square are the neighborhoods at the edge: the Port, Cambridgeport, East Cambridge and Neighborhood 4; Wellington Harrington are the edge that need the extra boost. He stated 50% of the funds should be directed to these neighborhoods.

Ms. Farooq stated that the Community Benefits Ordinance does prioritize the neighborhoods impacted. The funds that feed the Community Benefits Fund are coming from agreements related to rezoning and development Special Permits from developers and tend to be area specific. These tend to fall in the lower tier because there are components of transportation improvements and environmental sustainability benefits that are incorporated into the development project or funds clearly allocated to such areas such as open space. When the committee receives proposals, the goal will be to address a multitude of needs. There is enough connectivity in the elements that fall into the needs assessments that will have an impact across the board.

City Manager DePasquale stated that this was heard loud and clear at the ECPT and the Foundry impacts this area. We need to come up with a percentage. Councillor Carlone stated that the edge into Central Square will be the most dramatic change in the next twenty years. This is the window to create a stable community of people who live there. The border areas become the hot spot for new people to move into where there is economic growth. He spoke about good planning.

Vice Mayor McGovern spoke about needs and that development happens on the fringe of the neighborhoods. This is a delicate balance. There are areas in the City where development can and cannot happen. Riverside is the area where there is the highest percentage of poverty with North Cambridge being close. Cambridge is a segregated City where diversity is a priority.

Ms. Semonoff stated that the guiding principles for Community Benefit Funding are included in the needs assessment and focused on the best way that the funding could be used. She explained that a long of time was spent on how the City can most thoughtfully and best use the funding and this includes the third tier (#9-14) that reflects the interconnected needs. In looking together at needs with support from the City Council for this set of needs together with the guiding principal this would give direction to the committee to actually look for proposals that would be responsive to support an individual or family to move forward.

Vice Mayor McGovern stated that this is an opportunity to look at the root causes of homelessness. He stated that the City Council has not endorsed this needs assessment. He would submit a motion to have the City Council do this.

At 4:41pm Vice Mayor McGovern opened public comment.

Hasson Rashid, 820 Mass. Ave., stated last year he made several presentations on needs and this year it is the same thing. This is based on the City Manager's budget which is a spring board for all needs. He stated that nothing has changed to improve homelessness. Last year he made a presentation on the FY 17 budget entitled 'Locking out Exclusion of Cambridge Homeless Sector Mosaic." He stated that nothing has changed this year in enriching and improving the lives and shaping the future of Cambridge's homeless sector. He spoke about local government efforts to reduce homeless poverty has been minimal outside of federal and state funding. This still remains so. He stated that the City Manager's transmitted FY18 submitted budget appropriation orders it again fall short of funding needs outlined in the Ten Year Cambridge Plan to End Homelessness. It especially falls short on long range below market rate affordable housing. He stated that this year's budget proposal leaves gaps in meeting the needs for the homeless and other poor residents at a time when economic challenges are continuously mounting for the poor. He added that this budget proposal needs to demonstrate that it will keep up with the legitimate needs of the City's homeless residents. Nothing in the budget addresses the homeless, poverty crisis or someone at risk.

Marjorie Turakin, 5 Cowperthwaite Street, commented that in the next cycle there should be a strength in analysis done because the needs are identified. She noted that it is unknown the number of high net worth individuals in Cambridge and what are other resources can help address this need. She stated that doing both a needs and strength assessment would be beneficial to know how to leverage all the funds.

Joan Squeri, 118 Pearl Street, a member of the non-profit coalition, highlighted the idea of intentionally appointing a person with the job of forming partnerships in the City. Transforming students’ lives because there is a point person to build partnership; this was done because it was a person job to building partnerships and this needs to be intentional.

At this time Vice Mayor McGovern closed public comment.

Ms. Mednick stated that this endeavor involves a commitment for culture change and not about money. This also involves a commitment to be brave and taking unknown steps. She runs an organization where she supervises a staff that has to say no far more often than they get to say yes. She stated that there is still a sense of optimism that tomorrow will be better. This work is done with a sense of scarcity in a community where one does not have to operate with the fear of scarcity. Cambridge should never operate with a sensibility that there are constraints due to scarcity. If we do it is the scarcity of will; not the scarcity of any other resource. This is something that we can overcome.

Councillor Kelley stated that he spends hours with the Friends of CRLS Athletics, the Friends of CRLS, etc. with people figuring out how much return they can get on t-shirts or cookies. He wanted this shifted. He wanted another meeting to discuss the next steps on how the City can be more intentional to get to aspirational side.

Deputy City Manager Peterson stated that there are two tracks to pursue. She stated that one is the further articulation of need and increase funding over all in the City from corporations and individuals. The more immediate need now is moving forward in the Community Benefit Process would be to get a recommendation from the Finance Committee to endorse the Needs Assessment Report or endorse the needs as articulated in the Needs Assessment Report. She stated that the longer funding discussion is important and it would be beneficial to continue this.

Vice Mayor McGovern made the following motion:
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record officially endorsing the Needs Assessment Report and the priorities detailed in the report.

The motion carried on a voice vote.

Vice Mayor McGovern stated that he would discuss with the Deputy City Manager the next meeting when the City is ready to move onto next steps.

Vice Mayor McGovern thanked all attendees and those who help the most vulnerable in the City. It is about relationships and those who work with this population.

The hearing adjourned at 4:53pm on a motion by Councillor Devereux.

For the Committee,
Vice Mayor Marc C. McGovern, Chair